Dover Planning Board Approves Solar Array and Two Pool Applications in One Night

DOVER — September 15, 2025 — Dover Planning Board unanimously approves a ground-mounted solar array and two in-ground pools at its September 15 meeting. Chair Carol Lisman and members Jody Shu, Val, and Katie Williams voted 4-0 on each of three preliminary site plan review applications, attaching conditions covering landscaping screening, stormwater controls, lighting limits, and fire department notification. The 68-panel solar installation at 51 Pine Street, submitted by vendor Arty Crocker for the Whitley family, is connected to the Eversource grid and required a pre-construction landscaping and buffering plan as a key condition. John King of Environmental Pools secured back-to-back approvals for gunite pools at 2011 Danam Street and 139 Center Street, both conditioned on pool filling by private water truck only. An abutter at 203 Danam Street, Jay Tang, raised fence and footprint questions via Zoom after the board had already voted on that application; Town Planner Melissa walked him through the approved site plan on screen. The board also previewed a coming review of the town's zoning bylaw — including a push to more clearly define "structure" — with a May 2026 Annual Town Meeting deadline in view, and noted that state grants tied to MBTA Communities compliance have ranged from $400,000 to more than $2 million annually.